You thought that all you needed to do were more sit ups and more stomach crunches to get those six pack abs that you are looking for.
Unfortunately that is probably not the most important part of the story to six pack abs.
Before others can even see the six pack abs that you want to show off you have to remove that layer of stomach fat that covers them. Your abs live below this layer and it is not until it starts to disappear that they become visible to the outside world. And this is where diet becomes more important even than the exercise. Sure, you still have to exercise to tone the muscles but loosing the covering fat layer is just, if not more, important. With it still in place those six pack abs will never be seen. So put away that loaf of white bread and the butter because you are about to clean out your refrigerator and re-stock with things for a brand new six pack abs diet to trim down your waist quickly.
Click here if you are really serious about firming your Abs
A specific diet for getting six pack abs requires that you reduce the fat consumed while building up lean protein to get a rock solid stomach. Incorporating a healthy diet as well as an exercise routine can help shift your stomach from fat to firm within just a few weeks if you are disciplined.
Starting a Six Pack Abs Diet
While you can do an immediate and complete dietary shift from day one, many nutritionists recommend that a gradual approach implementing a six pack abs diet is better than trying to do it “cold turkey”.
You begin by creating a plan for your new diet to focus on weight loss, lean muscle gain and overall reduction in sugar intake. Avoiding too much fat is important particularly as there is some evidence that fat and sugars together in the diet are particularly difficult for the body to deal with. Where possible the body will use the easy to convert sugars in the blood stream to energy before the body takes to converting the fat to energy. Its just that much harder for the body to convert the fat so it takes the easiest path first.
Some authorities suggest that exercising first thing in the morning before breakfast, when blood sugar levels are low, has a more beneficial fat loss impact. Note, however, that they do not advocate missing the first meal of the day. A good breakfast kick starts the metabolism for the day.
Many busy people struggle with incorporating a new diet into their daily routine, which is why some flexibility and gradual implementation of the plan is a more beneficial approach. Starting with breakfast, it’s important to shift your diet to a focus on lean protein for your six pack abs diet.
Eliminate Processed Food
Eliminate any processed foods such as white bread, sweetened cereals or pastries from your eating plans and replace them with omelets, protein shakes and lean meats. As already noted above it is more important to reduce your sugars and increase your lean protein than it is to eliminate all fats from your diet. One notable catch line – If it is white it is generally best to avoid it – like sugar, white flour, salt etc but complex carbohydrates like potatoes are OK.
An alternative option is to use protein shake mixes usually found in your local health store or the like. When mixed with skim milk or any other low sugar base these provide vitamins, minerals and protein. Additionally, you can prepare a healthy protein omelet (ideally with egg whites) to get your day started on the right food. For individuals with busy schedules, you can make protein shakes in advance to provide quick servings to start your day, and can even pack a protein shake for lunch.
Increase Metabolism
Your body’s metabolism is higher in the daytime, so it’s important to integrate a complete, healthy and lean breakfast rather than skipping the meal because it’s convenient. Shifting your calorific intake to earlier in the day helps to ensure you can gradually lose weight over time with minimal complications as part of a balanced six pack abs diet.
Eating more frequently and eating smaller meals (smaller portion sizes) also improves your body’s ability to metabolize the sugar and fat intakes. Plan on shifting to five smaller meals throughout the day and halt your meals for the day after a small post-dinner snack to help keep your blood sugar low and metabolism high throughout the day. For lunch or an afternoon snack, you can integrate lean proteins such as almonds, low fat milk, salads or a protein shake to provide additional sources of nutrition. Integrating lean protein snacks throughout the day helps to keep your stomach lean, and allows your daily calorie burning to keep fat levels regulated throughout your body. Also avoid getting or keeping too warm. If you run a little cooler then your body has to compensate by burning more calories which benefits your losing fat. (You do not have to shiver, just avoid being overheated)
While many in the western world have traditionally had a large meal at the end of the day it is better to try and moderate consumption of foods to smaller portions spaced through out the day. A smaller evening meal of lean protein, steamed vegetables and whole grain carbohydrates is a healthy balance that can be supplemented with a late night snack of vegetables and peanut butter. Focusing on overall dietary health and limited refined carbohydrate intake can help shift your metabolism into high gear so you can improve our overall physical fitness levels. Pick foods that are both healthy and enjoyable, so you can tailor your own six pack abs diet to your liking.
Get Started
Getting started is really the key to all of this. Talking about it or putting it off until some event or point in time – like Christmas or next week – means that it might never happen.
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